As we reported in August, Kappo (the tiny and intimate sushi bar at East End Market) was hit with a violation by the DBPR for having uncovered food too close to diners.
In addition to Jennifer Banagale, Mark Berdin and Lordfer Lalicon's undeniable skills, part of what makes Kappo so special is the atmosphere. But this week an inspector from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered the chef-owners of Kappo to install a sneeze guard, that self-explanatory plastic barrier between the customer's face and the food.
The restaurant owners fought back, insisting that the inspector didn't understand their serving style, and their dedicated fans started a Change.org petition (somewhat misguidedly addressed to Buddy Dyer) to "Save Kappo!"
Well, whether it's down to the petition, the publicity or just a simple miscommunication with the inspectors that's now been rectified, the Change.org page now declares "Victory! No sneeze guard necessary!" So rest easy, fish-o-philes ... nothing can come between you and the object of your plate's desire after all.
